Brahman, a DISCUS Sudarsana Chakra representing the ever-active MIND, with
streaks of lightning dispelling darkness of ignorance, a beatific ROSARY of beads
signifying JAPA or meditation, and a holy-book of eternal wisdom.

The four quarters were filled with effulgence emanating from His Celestial figure.
Beholding the Lord whose eyes were fountains of MERCY, the Muni who was himself
immersed in that great lustre, was thrilled with ineffable joy; and he immediately
prostrated himself before the dazzling Deity. Saluting again and again, he sang and
praised the many leelas of Janardhana to his own heart's content.

Lord Vishnu, the protector of the three worlds, addressed the Sage thus: "0
thou chief among sages, I am pleased with your tapas. Ask me a boon. Fear not!".

Agasthya was filled with great expectations; and he spoke in humble and gentle
words thus: "0 Lord of Luxmi ! If Thou art pleased with my humble efforts', kindly
indicate to me, forthwith, the PATH of DELIVERANCE for the deluded people of this
world, so that they may easily find happiness here as well as freedom from the
bondage of repeated " births. Is there a way for them to realise Mukthi through
BHOGA itself, without recourse to austerities and penance ?"

Govinda, the great shepherd of humanity, being pleased at this request, replied
thus: "This is indeed a great question pregnant with self-sacrifice; nay, it is thy LOVE
for the greatest ONE REAL SELF of all that you have performed this great tapas,
not with any selfish intent, but for the welfare of all living beings. You are indeed a
Mahatma ! It was Shiva who first put this question to me ages back. Brahma was
the next to seek enlightenment on this subject and, later still, Durvasa; and it is now
your own question. There are not many who would perform severe austerities, such
as you have endured, with an eye to the welfare of deluded humanity. I shall certainly
clear your doubts after first initiating you into the secret of my OWN SELF; and may
this knowledge, which is the key to the answer to your question, be spread to all
corners of the three worlds by your effort:

"I am the beginningless Creator of all that IS; I am the Lord of Lords and free to
do as I please; I am the cause of creation, preservation and withdrawal of this
Universe- both manifest and unmanifested- and all is part of My own being. I am
the Trinity: Brahma, Vishnu, Rudra, and I am also beyond all qualities: Sattva, Rajas,
and Tamas. Though free from all qualities, 1 am their resting place, and their support.
I need no special resting place for myself for I am imminent everywhere. I am the
ATMA of all- the primeval creative SPIRIT. 1 am in the creation and also outside
creation. All the threefold Universe is as my apparel, a part of myself. You can,
therefore, be always AWARE of MY PRESENCE; I exist in two forms: Sath & Chith.
As SATH, I am above all qualities, unmanifest and omnipotent Silence ever present
and imminent.

As CHITH, or Pure Consciousness, (Sarva-Bhutha-gunatmaka), I exist as the
primeval ATMA in the hearts of all the manifest, bound as they are by the three
gunas.

Know that both Sath & Chith are one and ONE ALONE and not apart. "Sath-
Chith-Ekam Brahma". ,

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